Week 1 is always unpredictable when it comes to CFF. Let’s see what week 2 has in store for us.
Have No Fear for Devon Dampier
Only one thing concerned me when Dampier transferred to Utah. Not the jump in competition. Not the lack of receivers. Not the system. It was actually the game script. New Mexico constantly played from behind and was involved in so many shootouts due to their swiss cheese defense. My biggest question was if he would have the pass/rush volume to come close to his 2024 performance if he was playing with a lead? Well, the Utes treated the Bruins like a dirty cop in maximum security prison. Utah led start to finish and Damp got off 27 passes to go along with 16 rush attempts (none of which were sacks because the guy is an absolute escape artist). He’s going to be just fine.
The Pac-2 Might Be Through
It looks like the conference re-alignment may have officially caught up with the Pac-2 and the results are pug fugly. I’d be terrified for any Anthony Hankerson shares as that OL lost everyone and has replaced them with inferior options. The Beavers averaged 2.4 YPC against Cal. I have more faith in the Wazzu staff to eventually turn things around, but it is going to take some time. It took a FG in the final seconds to squeak out a win against Idaho. If you think the Oregon State run game was bad, then Wazzu’s was an abomination with 8 yards on 22 carries. Not great for a staff that claimed all offseason they were going to “establish the run”.
Wacky Week One
Here are the things that surprised me the most from the opening week:
Wazzu QB1– speaking of Wazzu, my mind wasn’t blown when Eckhaus didn’t win the job. I wrote about him in my Do Not Draft article. However, I expected Jaxon Potter to be the QB4, not QB1.
Hershel Turner stats – 8 carries for NEGATIVE 15 yards and a fumble lost. Good Lord.
Anthony Garcia starting WR – The backup QB was listed as a starting WR for Utah State and caught three balls. Mendenahall said he’s a nice athlete and can play all over the field. Bronco has a history of doing this with guys like Taysom Hill and Keytaon Thompson.
Jaren Hamilton missing in action – All that talk from offseason that Hamilton dominated in camp for ASU and listed as a starter…only to get 1 snap. Dilly doesn’t normally do us dirty like that.
Could Efficiency Lead To More Opportunity?
Here are the 5 most efficient receivers from Week 1 based on yards per route run on a minimum of 5 targets.
Start All Running Backs Against This Team
We have an early candidate for that you must start all your RBs against- Georgia Southern. Kent State gave up 269 yards on the ground last year, and North Texas allowed 262 the year before. Well, GaSo could very well be in that company. They gave up 351 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns to Fresno State. Yes, the very same Fresno State team that had 37 rushing yards on 29 carries (1.3 ypc) against Kansas the week before. Yes, Fresno should have a solid run game, but an increase of 314 rushing yards is an alarming jump from one opponent to the next. When it comes to RBs vs Georgia Southern, start ’em if you got ’em. USC is up next.
Cheers and good luck in Week 2!
